July 25, 2010
Judge Not
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Romans 14:13
We grow up forming our own opinions, and then learn to form opinions about others. Then those opinions become judgments, at which point we wound a brother or sister in Christ. There is a fine line that separates an opinion from a judgment, a line we must not cross.
The early church in Rome had fallen prey to passing judgment on members with regard to food—non-essential matters in the Christian faith. And Paul told them to stop. Christians are free to form different views about matters of faith and practice that are not fundamental to Christian orthodoxy—such as diet, as in the case of the church in Rome. As Paul wrote, "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking [or the color of choir robes and carpets], but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). In other words, our unity in Christ is disrupted when we judge one another. Yes, there will be judgment—but it will be by the Word of Christ, not the word of man (Romans 14:10).
If you have been judged by others, wait patiently for Christ to put things right. If you have judged others, seek to be forgiven.
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
—
Unknown
